Journey of the Pale Bear
Susan Fletcher
eBook
(Margaret K. McElderry Books, Oct. 2, 2018)
âA lovely little miracle of a book.â âKatherine Applegate, Newbery Medalâwinning author of The One and Only Ivan â[A] large-hearted and riveting medieval adventure.â âWilliam Alexander, National Book Awardâwinning author of Goblin Secrets âA breathtaking adventure.â âKirby Larson, Newbery HonorÂâwinning author of Hattie Big Sky A runaway boy befriends a polar bear thatâs being transported from Norway to London in this âstupendous coming-of-age tale stuffed with adventureâ (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).The polar bear is a royal bear, a gift from the King of Norway to the King of England. The first time Arthur encounters the bear, she terrifies him. Yet, strangely, she doesnât harm himâthough she has attacked anyone else who comes near. So Arthur finds himself taking care of a polar bear on a ship to England. Tasked with feeding and cleaning up after the bear, Arthurâs fears slowly lessen as he begins to feel a connection to this bear, who like him, has been cut off from her family. But the journey holds many dangers, and Arthur knows his own freedomâperhaps even his lifeâdepends on keeping the bear from harm. When pirates attack, Arthur must make a choiceâdoes he do everything he can to save himself, or does he help the bear to find freedom? Based on the real story of a polar bear that lived in the Tower of London, this timeless adventure story thoughtfully looks at the themes of freedom, captivity, and the bond between a boy and a bear.